Three-year strategy planned for village

Three-year strategy planned for village

25 January 2017

CROSSGAR Community Association is to draw up a three-year strategic development plan as part of a major new initiative to help revitalise the village.

The news was confirmed at the organisation’s annual meeting last week by chairwoman Roisin Erskine who revealed the group hopes to secure funding to finance a number of events to raise the profile of the village.

Other key priorities include launching a community consultation exercise to provide an overview of the issues that matter to people of Crossgar and what they would like to see happening and securing funding to appoint two new members of staff — a full-time community development worker and part-time admin assistant.

“Our main focus in 2017 will be developing our strategic plan,” Mrs Erskine told last week’s meeting. “In addition to our staff appointments, we intend to increase membership and promote the benefits of engaging in voluntary community work for all.

“It is also our intention to consult with the people of Crossgar and the surrounding area on a range of issues to deliver for all our residents and minority groups.”

The chairwoman said Crossgar is particularly fortunate it has a number of dedicated volunteers and is confident the community group has the potential to build what she described as a “dynamic and effective team.” She also hopes anyone with a passion for making Crossgar a success will get involved in its work, even if it is only to share ideas and expertise.

Mrs Erskine, who took over the chairmanship last August, described the organisation’s last 12 months as “varied and unpredictable.” She explained the community group is manoeuvring to become an umbrella organisation for all voluntary groups in the village and surrounding area and for businesses and residents.

“The Crossgar Community Association will become the conduit through which to deliver services, consult with residents, foster mutually beneficial partnerships and generally raise the quality of life outcomes for local people,” she continued.

“There has been a mixed reaction to our focus on temporarily shifting away from local, grassroots events to promoting a strategic approach to delivering community-led initiatives.”

The chairwoman explained an example of how this works in practice was when the Crossgar group recently co-ordinated a village response to Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s sports facilities consultation. She said the organisation has been lobbying for a new community/sports facility in the village which resulted in a feasibility study being commissioned.

“The lack of provision had become a toxic issue locally,” Mrs Erskine continued. “However, with the local council’s new remit for community planning, the potential for the facility has resurfaced as a new opportunity, bringing with it fresh optimism.

“The Crossgar Association facilitated six of our local sports groups in submitting a partnership outline of their combined needs, wants and aspirations as part of the consultation. Due to ever-tightening budgets in central and local government, coupled with good governance practices and effective collaborations, this will be the cornerstone and methodology of any local and capital investment programme in the future.”

Mrs Erskine believes it is essential the Crossgar group aligns to formal structures, placing it in a position to access or signpost member groups to opportunities as they arise.

“We can only represent those views that we know of and our group is keen to be as representative as possible. If anyone would like to get in touch to get involved with our work please do so via our Facebook page or email crossgarcommunity@gmail.com,” said Mrs Erskine.

The chairwoman also paid tribute to her predecessor, Paul Teggart, at the meeting. Mrs Erskine thanked him for his efforts on behalf of the community, praising the “effort and heart” he invested in the group and the village.  She said she has no doubt he will continue to make a valuable contribution to Crossgar.

Mr Teggart — who stepped down after years of voluntary service — was also praised by other members of the community group and a number of Rowallane councillors for his work over many years.